Submissions for the Arcana Veritas Distinction Awards 2026 are now open
The prestigious award ceremony will take place in November 2026, at the Grand Committee Hall of the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Submissions for the Arcana Veritas Distinction Awards 2026 are now open
The prestigious award ceremony will take place in November 2026, at the Grand Committee Hall of the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland in Edinburgh.
The Arcana Veritas Distinction Awards (AVDA) were formally announced at the Annual Communication and Installation of Grand Lodge Office-Bearers of the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland, held in Edinburgh on 30 November 2023.
Established to commemorate and celebrate outstanding contributions to Masonic literature, the Arcana Veritas Distinction Award is dedicated to writers and authors whose work demonstrates both scholarly rigour and interpretive insight across the breadth of Masonic study. Submissions may address, among other themes, the history of the Craft, symbolism, degrees, ritual practice, jurisprudence, comparative traditions, or other subjects grounded in Masonic teachings and experience.
AVDA are set to recognise writing that strengthens understanding within the fraternity and supports the continued development of Masonic knowledge. Works will be considered on the quality of research, clarity of argument, fidelity to sources, and the extent to which they advance thoughtful discourse in a manner consistent with Masonic principles.
The Awards welcome contributions from diverse perspectives, encouraging authors to illuminate different dimensions of Masonic philosophy and practice with precision, originality, and intellectual integrity.
We invite Masonic writers and authors to submit eligible works for consideration in accordance with the published guidelines and submission windows.
Winners 2025
The Arcana Veritas Distinction Awards Committee is pleased to announce the winners for the 2025 edition
The prestigious award ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Grand Committee Hall of the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland in Edinburgh.
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Winners 2024
The Arcana Veritas Distinction Awards Committee is pleased to announce the winners for the 2024 edition
The Award Ceremony took place on November 27, at Grand Lodge's Grand Committee Hall, Edinburgh.
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Each year, AVDA will be presenting distinction awards for the finest
Masonic books and papers published in English.
Submission Guidelines
The Judging Methodology
The methodology used by the judges will be objective and rigorous. Each submission will be evaluated based on the criteria established by the awarding organization or committee. The judges will be asked to provide detailed feedback on each submission, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses and making recommendations for improvement. The judges may also consider the broader context of the work, such as its potential impact on the Masonic community and the wider public.
The Panel of Judges may consult with each other during the evaluation process and may request additional information or clarification from the authors if necessary.
Ultimately, the Panel of Judges will make their decision based on the quality of the work and its contribution to the field of Masonic scholarship, ensuring that the winning submission is truly deserving of the award.
Submission Process
A set of two evaluation committees will be formed:
1- The Valuation Committee
2- The Judging Panel
All submitted materials and papers will undergo a preliminary examination by members of the valuation committee to check for submission errors or omissions.
The valuation committee, comprising three distinguished brethren, will, after successfully reviewing each submitted material, forward it to a judging authority panel to be evaluated and noted.
The author will be contacted to acknowledge acceptance of his work and again if further information is needed.
A- Books will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Quality of writing, depth of research, originality of ideas, relevance to the Masonic community, and contribution to the understanding of Freemasonry and its principles.
B- White Papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Quality of research and analysis, originality of ideas, relevance to the Masonic community, and contribution to the understanding of Freemasonry and its principles.